money pit

We've had an interesting year living in our century old Sears and Roebuck house. It's amazing how solid a house that was ordered from a catalog can remain so solid for decades on end. It seems to be the addition to the house, custom built in the 1970's that we find ourselves repairing.

The thirty year old windows seems to be much draftier than the original ones in the front of the house. We've hired someone to replace those now. A handyman we trust of course. I say this as I've written him a check recently for a couple grand and haven't heard from him for two weeks. I'll keep crossing my fingers and hope that his phone number keeps working. Its when I can't leave messages anymore that I start to worry.

Of course our furnace is now acting up and our dishwasher has given up the ghost. But we'll always be fine as long as our internet keeps working.

Careening

We careened down the hill. Down.. Down.. Faster... Faster... There was nothing to stop us. We weren't sure if we wanted to be stopped. The speed was exhilarating. Our hearts were in our throats. We held tight, our knuckles white and cold against the crisp wind. Our ears roared with the speed. Our eyes were tearing... Nothing would stop us. Nothing could stop us. Not at this speed.

Except for the oak tree...

Older Man - Prison sentence

The stolid figure was a fixture in the room. He appeared to belong in the space much like the tarnished brass lamp on the wooden end table next to him. He slumped in the chair, molded to the cushions. His large, heavy eyelids were closed, perhaps never to open again. His skin was thin and aged. The veins in his hands were like road maps showing paths he had taken throughout his life. His brown flannel shirt hung loose on his frame. The frayed pocket held a single tissue which moved in and out with his short whispy breaths, showing brief signs of life. His hands clasped over the top of a cheap wooden cane which was scarred and chipped. It's black rubber foot was cracked and worn.

He had been waiting for awhile now. I was unsure how to approach him. I stood in the hallway and stared for awhile considering my options. I knew I had to share the information that I obtained from the court proceedings. They said that his thoughts were still coherent. He would understand what I had to say. I just wasn't sure how he would react.